I think this shows EXACTLY why Obama is not qualified to be president. That he makes such generalizations about people (and thinks it's funny) shows a complete lack of understanding about the people in this country. What a jerk. Just because someone is in overalls doesn't mean they don't watch CNN and just because someone is in a 3 piece suit doesn't mean they know anything more than what's on CNBC.

Is he saying country folk only care about corn? What an insult!

So, Mr Obama tries to break the ice with some self-effacing humor: He confesses his own prejudice about people in overalls. And then he moves the conversation on to real topics.
And, what do you people do? Crucify him on a shish-kabob, as usual.

I don't know how anyone could be offended by this. I grew up in rural Missouri near Iowa, the same kind of country, and I can tell you it would be pretty uncommon for someone in overalls to even have HEARD of Burma. Then once in a while you run across a farmer who's a former college professor and speaks five languages or something, or just one who has a family tradition of valuing education and staying well-informed. It's neat that Obama's finding more people like that than most of us would guess... including those who have lived in the area and met a heck of a lot of guys in overalls.

People these days people don't think anymore. Brainwashing is how people function these days. Example - I have heard people say " The people that are running the country now are idiots" Yet five minutes later they say this is the greatest country in the world. Well if the people in office were idiots we wouldn't be the greatest country in the World. Just something to think about...

Let's face it. Any candidate would be surprised to receive a question about Myanmar(Burma) from anyone except someone from foreign services or from a news organization. 'Burma' has been in the news a few weeks ago but has not been on the top 20 things concerning Americans.

Do you guys know what amazes me? It's how the question of Democrat or Republican is ripping our nation to shreds. It is driving a wedge between everyone. I think that it's sad how immature ALL of us have become. This nation has forgotten how to agree to disagree. If I may quote President Lincoln saying that "A house divided against itself can not stand". I do not mean to imply that this nation is on the road to armed civil war. I would like to think that this is improbable and impossible. However, I do mean to imply that it almost feels that this nation is no longer one nation, but two at war with each other and it is all based on competition between two political parties that were never intended by our forefathers to exist. This nation needs something that can not be made into a political football that we can all rally around and learn to become one nation again...

This is a silly discussion! Of course there are a lot of qualified candidates -- Obama is one of them. I'm exhausted by the manipulators of language and the individuals fighting for angles to put candidates in a bad light. Just exhausting and please stop it -- I think most of us are tired of it. Obama is simply trying to mention snapshots of people he encounters to get through the primarys.

get a message to Obama whose one of the most intelligent and likable men I've ever had the pleasure of seeing talking about issues, don't go there. People are soooo quick to believe the worst of an African american man. So they will twist your words Obama. WE all know they were innocent, but people are jaded and suspicious and rightly so. So don't group anyone together in anyway or xpress surprise that ANYONE acts a particular way different than you expected. The PC people are panting waiting to tear you down about it.
Anyone who can tell Obama this tell him NOW.

Reality check people,,,anything that can be said to twist a political canidates words can and will be done!
Frankly I grew up in Kansas and now live in Tenn so I have seen plenty of the guys in overalls. The fact is that corn IS a major issue in todays political climates as its production and development of newer ways to use it can greatly affect this countries economic and mechanical future. So I have to say hearing an Iowa farmer ask about Burma in a political climate that is hurting him here at home actually shocks this average white woman as well. Not because I believe farmers to be ignorant in any way but because so many Americans are so self oriented that I am impressed by anyone nowadays getting a chance to ask the hard question of a major political canidate and not focusing on their own agenda!

How can we trust a man who thinks appearances display a persons knowledge and awareness of current issues. People have different looks all over the world and if he says this in Iowa what is to stop him from saying it outside of America and what outcome would we get? Women in Arab countries wear Abaya's and men wear the white Muslim outfit (what ever its called) would he expect certain questions just because they are not ordinarily dressed?

I find it odd that Obama claims to have such worldwide experiences,and resides in the state of illinois, which is not far from Iowa, is suprised to find out that farmers have other questions besides corn. He is sooo.. diconnected from his own neighbors. Barack Obama is certainly no Abe Lincoln!

It seems to me many americans would love
to drown in this pool of political correctness. A simple statement by a
politician is turned into a spin.No
wonder why most of them choose not to answer tough questions.Obama is a humble
guy and i believe it was a pleasant surprise on his part to be asked a question
on an issue that is far from home.We all
make assumptions at some point and it does not mean we have a low opinion on other people.

what the heck is a seed hat?

Unfortunately, going to be endless attempts to frame and parse the comments from all and miss the forest altogether while at it !! Think he was pointing out that folks are NOT as UNAWARE of issues outside of the confines of their immediate enviroment, ot as self centered or unaware how what happens elsewhere effects and affects us all in various ways one way or another.
Can only presume perhaps a segment will take it that NONE are to speak but in CRAFTED sound bytes that will be innocuolous and innoculate them from others being able to descern WHAT they meant or truly thought or anything other than ability to parse in such ways that allows them to sit on a fence and be considered leaning in the current wind to whatever position the audience desires and WANTS to perceive....This keeps being seemed the case, all way too cautious to actually STATE something or other for fear of being taken out of context and used as ammo AGAINST....Perhaps should review how Bush got perceived support due to perceivement that right or wrong at least he stayed his course /stayed his decision and did NOT question nor change direction no matter how warranted(and refused to learn something or other that would validate why to change "decision/mind/stance" for GOOD to excellent reasonings which = inability to admit a wrong and hence unable to correct course for ego won't let such happen as MUST remain steadfast/'decisive". committed, etc, etc,etc...uh, throw in a "gagarinoing GAG here !!) !!!!

Guess BO didn't think too much of farmers to begin with if that question surprises him. Funny, if you asked people on the streets in Chicago about Burma, I bet the number of people who know about the genocide there would be about the same. Maybe BO just expected to see a bunch of hicks from "Petticoat Junction" or maybe "Hooterville". Who knows why he's so prejudiced?

he expected what was reasonable to expect of anyone of any community, that their first question wopuld be about an issue that directly affected them and their community.

Well Well,Well........Here we go again we have a hard time dealing with an honest reaction. I am suprise that as a group your attempt to make hay out of a straight forward honest comment and imply "Racism" on the part of the Senator for his comments. I guess I would truly be suprised if the comments reflected more intelligence on the part of the writers.

When commenting on any candidate's response to a question I think it might be helpful to actually give the question that was asked. An audience member asked what Obama would do to make Americans more attentive and in tune with the world outside of our borders. Obama's said in reply that he thinks that Americans are more in tune with the rest of the world than given credit.

I haven't bothered to read most of the argument going on here -- but I too would be surprised that someone in the middle of a field with their own problems of farm, town, state etc would be concerned about Burma as well -- I think it is probably one of the best learning experiences of being "on the road"